charles schumer has taken the microphone and is beginning the ceremony. >> and to all that are watching, welcome to the capital and to the celebration of our great democracy. [applause] this is the 57 inauguration of an american president, and no matter how many times one witnesses this event, its simplicity, it's in a nazi -- its innate majesty, and most sacred of all, that most sacred of power, from we the people to our trust a leader never fails to make one's heart beat faster as it will today with the inauguration of president barack h. obama. [applause] now we know we would not be here today were it not for those who stand guard around the world to preserve our freedom. to those in our armed forces, we offer are infinite thanks, for your bravery, your honor, your sacrifice. [applause] this democracy of ours was forged by intellect and argument, by activism and the blood, and above all, from john adams, to elizabeth cady stanton, to martin luther king, by a stubborn adherence to the notion and we are all created equal and that we all deserve nothing less than a great republic were t